The invention relates to an electronic lock, in particular an electronic safety lock.
Electronic locks in general and electronic safety locks in particular are well known in prior art, wherefore a certain confirmation by documents is regarded as being not necessary at this point.
Locks and thus also electronic locks comprise a bolt. This bolt is movably constructed and is coupled to a bolt-displacing device enabling a user to selectively move the bolt into one of at least two end positions by means of a corresponding actuating device. The lock is blocked in a first end position of the bolt and open, i.e. unblocked, in a second end position of the bolt.
In contrast to a generic look, the distinctive feature of a safety lock inter alia is that the movement of the bolt can be blocked so that the bolt can be moved only after unblocking, whereby unblocking of the bolt is only possible by authorized users. For blocking the bolt, it is known from prior art to use a blocking member. This blocking member can either be blocked or released. But the bolt can be moved only in the released condition, since only in this condition the locking member can be moved freely. In the blocked condition of the locking member, its movement and thus also the movement of the bolt is not possible. The release and/or blocking of the locking member can be performed electrically and/or mechanically.
Although safety locks known from prior art have proven effective in everyday practical use, there is a need for improvement, particularly with regard to manipulation security. Moreover, in prior art locks, the interaction of the bolt on the one hand and the blocking member on the other hand mostly is mechanically very complex thus requiring complicated and expensive mounting.
It therefore is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic lock which is simplified manipulation security at the same time.
For the solution of this object the invention proposes an electronic lock, in particular an electronic safety lock, having a bolt, a bolt-displacing device connected thereto, a blocking member arranged at the bolt-displacing device and a blocking element which interacts with the blocking member, the blocking element being designed to run into the movement path which is described by the blocking member.
The special feature of the lock according to the invention is to be seen in the interaction of the blocking member on the one hand and the blocking element on the other hand. Unlike from locks which are known from prior art, the blocking member is arranged at and movable with the bolt-displacing device. Blocking of the bolt is not achieved by the blocking member directly blocking a possible movement of the bolt. The invention rather provides for a blocking element running into the movement path of the blocking member, i.e. into the movement path which is described by the blocking member, whereby the blocking element is designed for linear movement. But also a blocking element, which is designed for pivoting and which can be pivotally moved into the movement path, can be imagined and is regarded as being covered by the concept of the invention.
The embodiment according to the invention is characterized by its simplicity. Only two components are provided, namely the locking member on the one hand and the locking element on the other hand, which enable blocking of the bolt in a simple manner and secure from manipulation. For example, the blocking element for example is designed for a linear movement, thus requiring a movement space which is relatively small compared to a rotary arrangement so that the lock according to the invention can be comparatively compact. Incidentally, the lock according to the invention is characterized in that the blocking element can run into the movement path of the blocking member for the sake of blocking the movement of the blocking member and thus the movement of the bolt. Accordingly, a free movement of the blocking member can be blocked by the blocking element. Free movement of the blocking member and thus free movement of the bolt are not possible in the blocked position of the blocking element. The bolt thus is in its blocked position that can be released only by a linear displacement of the blocking element which is only possible by an authorized person. The lock according to the invention is secure from manipulation and simultaneously has a simple construction. Neither the bolt nor the blocking member can be forcibly moved. The blocking element in its blocked position effectively prevents from any possibility of displacing both, the bolt and the blocking element. Thereby the blocking element in its blocked position can preferably be supported by a support bearing so that any unintended movement of the blocking element to a releasing position is impossible even by an impacting force.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the blocking member is an element which is spring-loaded, for instance in the form of a stud, piston, pin or the like. In a pivoting construction, the blocking member can also be annular. The blocking member, which is for instance formed as a stud, is constructed as a separate component which is inserted for instance in a corresponding bore of the bolt-displacing device in its mounted state. The construction of the blocking member as a stud is particularly simple and easy to mount. Moreover, the blocking member being is formed as a stud can be easily replaced if necessary.
According to a further feature of the invention, the blocking member is designed so as to be movable in a direction transverse to the moving direction of the bolt. A difference must be made between the blocked position on the one hand and the unblocked position on the other hand. In the blocked position, the blocking member is forced in its normal position by spring preload. For moving the blocking member to the unblocked position, the blocking member must be displaced against the spring preload, for which purpose a ramp element is provided as described in the following. This ramp element engages the blocking member when the blocking element is in the condition of its unblocked position in which the blocking element does not block the movement of the blocking member. Consequently, in the unblocked position of the blocking element, the blocking member does not interact with the blocking element, but instead with a ramp element. This ramp element allows displacing the blocking member against the spring force and moving it to its unblocked position. This embodiment is very simple in construction and prone to dysfunction.
According to a further feature of the invention, the blocking element is arranged at a displacing member, for instance, on one end side of a bar-shaped displacing member. The above-mentioned ramp element is arranged between the displacing member on the one hand and the blocking element on the other hand. The displacing member is preferably bar-shaped and forms together with the ramp element and the blocking member a one-piece structural unit that may be referred to as an displacing device. By means of the displacing member, i.e. the displacing device, the blocking element or the ramp element can run alternatively into the movement path which is described by the blocking member. If the blocking element is within the movement path which is described by the blocking member, the blocking member is blocked in its movement, i.e. the lock is in its blocked position. In this blocked position of the lock, it is not possible to move the bolt. On the other hand, if the ramp element is brought into the movement path of the blocking element, the lock can be moved to its released position by forcing the blocking member, which is movably arranged at the bolt-displacing device, upwards against the spring preload by the ramp element. In the upwardly forced position of the blocking member, the lock is in its unlocked position, i.e. the bolt is completely retracted. Hence, the lock is “open”. Preferably, in the course of the opening movement of the bolt, the locking element is displaced back to its locking position. Hence, the lock is advantageously self-locking.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the displacing device which is constituted by the blocking element, displacing member and ramp element can also be formed as a structural unit having a circular cross section which structural unit is rotatably arranged about an axis of rotation. According to this embodiment of the invention, the displacing member, i.e. the displacing device, must be rotated in order to run selectively either the blocking element or the ramp element into the movement path which is described by the blocking member.
According to a further feature of the invention, the displacing member, i.e. the displacing device, is configured for a linear movement or for rotation about an axis of rotation, respectably, by means of a drive unit. Preferably, the drive unit is an electric drive unit, for instance a linear drive. Other kinds of drivers may be considered. The drive unit may for instance comprise a piezo element, for instance in the form of an elliptec motor. The use of a piezo element is particularly preferred because security from manipulation is increased if a drive unit is used which includes a piezo element. In the case of manipulation it is not only required to bridge the electric circuit for the control unit for controlling the drive but it is also necessary to ensure the setting of the correct frequency for the piezo element. Simple bridging of the drive unit is thus not possible which increases security from manipulation of the entire lock.
Preferably, the drive unit can be operated by an authorized person in case of need. Authorization is possible, for instance, by allowing switching of the drive unit only after the previous entry of a pin code. Other security mechanisms can be used as well. Important is that the drive unit can only be operated, i.e. switched, by an authorized person.
After being switched on, the drive unit provides for a displacement or rotation of the blocking element. Accordingly, the blocking element is withdrawn from the movement path of the blocking member, i.e. the existing blockage of the blocking member is released. The blocking member and thus the bolt can be freely moved now, whereby allowing the lock to be unlocked.
As long as the blocking element is in its initial position, i.e. not moved to the releasing position by means of the drive unit, the movement of the blocking member is blocked since the blocking element is located within the movement path which is described by the locking member. A movement of the locking member and thus unlocking of the bolt is not possible in this position of the blocking element. Accordingly, the lock cannot be unlocked without authorization, i.e. without actuating of the drive unit.
According to a particular embodiment of the invention, mechanical emergency unlocking device is provided. This mechanical emergency unlocking device allows opening or closing of the lock by means of a mechanically acting operating element such as a key, namely by avoiding the above-described drive unit for moving the blocking element. A mechanical emergency operation may be necessary if, for example, the drive unit for moving the blocking member is out of order, the electronic system for verifying of the authorization code is faulty, or the person who is authorized to open the lock does not remember the required authorization code.
The mechanical emergency unlocking device allows to position the blocking member manually in its position relative to the blocking element by a dedicated lever arm in such a manner that the blocking member can be guided past the blocking element even if the blocking element cannot be moved out of its blocking position due to a faulty operation of the electric and/or electronic system. Accordingly, by manually displacing of the blocking member, the bolt can be caused to open even if the blocking element is still in its blocking position.
A manual operation of the blocking member preferably is affected by using a key by which a tumbler arrangement can brought into the opening position in a manner known by the art, in which—and only this position—the operation of the blocking member is allowed.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings. It is shown by:
The figures illustrate various embodiments of the lock according to the invention. The
The lock 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment and its structural components can be best seen in the illustrations according to the
The lock 1 according to the invention comprises a housing composed of two housing parts. For the purpose of clarity, only the housing part 2 is shown in the figures.
The lock 1 comprises a bolt 6 arranged for displacement in the moving direction 13 within the housing part 2. The bolt 6 can be moved back and forth in the moving direction 13. In the retracted position of the bolt 6 the lock 1 is unblocked. This position of the bolt 6 is illustrated in the
For operating the bolt 6, i.e. for moving the bolt 6 in the moving direction 13, a bolt-displacing device 9 is used, which is configured as a slider crank drive in the illustrated embodiment. The bolt-displacing device 9 comprises a pivoting arm 3 on the one hand and an articulated arm 4 on the other hand. As shown particularly in the
The connecting piece 15 is formed as a kind of sleeve and is inserted in the finally mounted state of the lock in bearing body 16, as this is shown especially in the
For a pivoting arrangement of the pivoting arm 3 on the articulated arm 4, the pivoting arm 3 comprises a pin 17 which engages in the finally mounted state in a correspondingly formed bore 18 of the articulated arm 4. On the other end side, the articulated arm 4 is arranged for pivoting on the bolt 6, at which end the bolt 6 comprises a pin-like appendix that engages in a second bore 20 of the articulated arm 4 in the mounted state.
When the operating element, which is not further illustrated in the figures, is actuated, the connecting piece 15 and thus the pivoting arm arranged thereon are pivotally moved from the blocked position of the lock shown in
As can be seen particularly in
The blocking member 5 is designed as a kind of pin and includes a base body 25 and a head 26 integrally provided on the base body. On the opposite side of the head 26 the base body 25 includes a continuous groove 27 serving to receive a safety washer 28. As it can be seen in
Furthermore, the lock 1 according to the invention includes a blocking element 10. The same is arranged on a displacing member 7 with a ramp element 11 interposed therebetween. In the preferred embodiment according to the drawing figures, the displacing member 7, the ramp element 11 and the blocking element 10 form a common structural unit which may be referred to as displacing device 32. This structural unit is linearly movable in the moving direction 13, namely, along a guiding contour 30 provided for this purpose. For a displacing movement of the displacing member 7 or the ramp element arranged thereon or the locking element 10 arranged thereon, a drive unit 8 is used which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a piezo element in the form of an elliptec motor. By means of this drive unit 8, the adjusting member 7 and thus the ramp element 11 or the blocking element 10 are moved in the moving direction 13 to the left with respect to the drawing plane of
A combined consideration of the
On the other hand, it is possible for an authorized person to put the drive unit 8 into operation by entering a pin code, for example, and thus displace the displacing member 7 to the left with respect to the drawing plane of
The construction according to the invention is characterized by its simplicity. The lock is operated as usual via an operating element not further shown in the drawings. In the course of this and as a consequence of such an operation, the bolt 6 is reciprocated in the moving direction 13 via a bolt-displacing device. In the course of this back and/or forth movement of the bolt 6, a blocking member 5, which is thus coupled as regards its freedom of movement, is moved on a circular movement path 12. A blocking element 10 or a ramp element 11 can be moved into this movement path 12. If the blocking element 11 is positioned within the movement path 12, the bolt 6 cannot be moved to the unblocked position of the lock due to the blocking member 5 being blocked in its movement. This blockage is released only if the ramp element 11 instead of the blocking element 10 run into the movement path 12.
A transfer of the bolt 6 from the blocked position to the unblocked position is shown in a perspective view by the
A second embodiment of the lock according to the invention is shown in the
As shown by various views in the
The blocking member 5 according to the second embodiment comprises a base body 25 which is designed as a pipe section that is closed on side. On the other side, the pipe section has a collar 46 as it is shown for example in
On the upper side of the articulated arm 4, referred to the drawing plane of
As it should be clear from the above explanation, the base body 25 of the blocking member 5 is capable of moving upwards and downwards relative to the articulated arm 4 with respect to the drawing plane of
According to the second embodiment of the invention, the adjusting device 32 formed by the displacing member 5, blocking element 10 and ramp element 11 are designed as a structural unit having a circular cross section and being rotatable about an axis of rotation 48.
The
The blocked position of the lock 1 according to the
By means of the drive unit 8, which acts upon the displacing member 7, a rotary movement of the displacing device 32 is possible, namely in such a manner that instead of the blocking element 10 the ramp element 11 of the displacing device 32 run into the movement path which is described by the blocking member 5. This position is shown in the
The
The
Concerning their function principle, the embodiments according to the
Based on the embodiment according to the
The mechanical emergency unlocking device comprises a slider 34. The slider 34 is designed for sliding in the moving direction 13. By means of the key 38 the slider 34 can be moved to the left and to the right with respect to the drawing plane of
The tumblers 36 are arranged below the slider 34 with respect to the drawing plane of the
In the exploded view according to
The slider 34 comprises an arm 41 which is joined by a bearing arm 42, as this is illustrated particularly in the
As a result of the mechanical emergency unlocking device, the lever arm 40 is pivoted about the pivot axis 49 in the longitudinal direction thereof which causes the end portion 45 pressing against the base body 25 of the blocking member 5 from below with respect to the drawing plane of
In summary, the mechanical emergency unlocking device operates as follows:
The bolt 6 of the lock 1 of the invention is in its extended position as shown for example in
For a mechanical emergency unlocking device the key 38 must be inserted in the lock. As a consequence of a rotation of the key 38, the tumblers 36 are rotated to their opening position, provided that the correct key 38 is used, i.e. the key that matches the lock 1 of the invention. At the same time, the slider 34 is moved to the right with respect to the drawing plane of
A displacement of the slider 34 to the right with respect to the drawing plane results in the lever arm 40 being rotated by means of the arm 41 or the bearing arm 42 provided thereon. As a result of the rotary movement, the end portion 45 of the lever arm 40 presses against the base body 25 of the blocking member 5 from below and, on continuation of this rotary movement, forces the blocking member 5 upwards with respect to the drawing plane 24 to an extent that it is lifted across the blocking element 10 which is in its blocking position. In this position, the lock according to the invention is unlocked by means of the mechanical emergency unlocking device. Now the bolt 6 can be retracted, although the displacing device 32 is still in its blockage position, since the blocking member 25 is lifted by the lever arm 24 a distance which allows the blocking member to move across the blocking element 10 when the articulated arm 24 is pivotally moved.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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07018461.9 | Sep 2007 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP08/03635 | 5/7/2008 | WO | 00 | 5/11/2010 |